PL-10 | |
---|---|
![]() A J-20 with one visible PL-10 on the side of the weapons bay. | |
Type | Short-range air-to-air missile |
Place of origin | People's Republic of China |
Service history | |
In service | 2015—present |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | Luoyang Electro-Optics Technology Development Centre (EOTDC) |
Produced | 2013—present |
Specifications | |
Mass | 105kg |
Length | 3.0m[1] |
Warhead | Blast-frag, or expanding rod (RF-fuse) |
Detonation mechanism | Laser proximity fuse and impact |
Engine | Thrust-vectoring solid-propellant rocket |
Operational range | 20 km |
Guidance system | Multi-element imaging infrared |
Launch platform | Aircraft |
The PL-10 (Chinese: 霹雳-10; pinyin: Pī Lì-10; lit. 'Thunderbolt-10'), formerly known as PL-ASR (stands for PiLi-Advanced Short Range),[2][3] is a short-range, infrared-homing air-to-air missile (AAM) developed by the People's Republic of China. It was designed by Dr. Liang Xiaogeng (梁晓庚) at the Luoyang Electro Optical Center, which is also known as the Institute 612 and renamed in 2002 as the China Air-to-Air Guided Missile Research Institute (中国空空导弹研究院).[4] Development of the missile commenced in 2004 for use on stealth fighters such as the J-20.[5]
History
The development of PL-10 initiated in 2004, and the design was reportedly approved in 2010.[4] The missile entered production in 2013.[5] The chief designer of PL-10 is Liang Xiaogeng (梁晓庚) of the Shanghai Academy of Science and Technology.[5] Pictures of the PL-10, then known as the PL-ASR, appeared on the Chinese internet in 2008.[2] It was observed mounting on a PLAAF Chengdu J-20 in 2015.[6]
Design
The missile is fitted with a multi-element IIR seeker capable of +/-90 degree off boresight angles. The missile seeker can be slaved to a helmet-mounted display (HMD),[7] allowing the pilot to track a target beyond the aircraft's radar scan envelope using the missile's high off-boresight capability, achieved by the pilot turning his head towards the target to lock-on,[8] better known as "look and shoot".
Flight is controlled by a thrust-vector controlled solid rocket motor and free-moving control wings on the missile's tail,[9] which facilitate the missile to achieve turn capability of over 60Gs and high angles of attack.[5] The central portion of the missile has long, thin strakes, which help maintain missile maneuverability in the terminal homing stage after the rocket motor stops firing.
The PL-10 is fitted with an advanced IR sensor that identity the target based on shape, giving it all-aspect targeting capability.[5] It's reportedly very resistant to jamming and electronic countermeasures.[10]
See also
References
- ^ "Chinese Super Maneuverable Air-To-Air Missile Closer To Deployment". DefenseWorld.net. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2019.
- ^ a b "Luoyang PL-ASR/PL-10 High Agility Close Combat Missile". Air Power Australia.
- ^ "PL-10". Military Periscope.
- ^ a b Wood, Yang & Cliff 2020, p. 19.
- ^ a b c d e Wood, Yang & Cliff 2020, p. 36-37.
- ^ "PL-10". deagel.
- ^ "China Completes Air-to-Air Missile Development For Fifth-Gen Fighter Jet". DefenseWorld.net. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
- ^ Melzer, James E. (31 December 1998). "Chapter 5: Head-Mounted Displays" (PDF). In Spitzer, Cary (ed.). The Avionics Handbook. Boca Raton, USA: CRC Press (published 2011). ISBN 0-8493-8348-X.
- ^ Fisher, Richard D Jr (18 September 2015). "Chief designer reveals data on China's new Luoyang PL-10 AAM". Jane's Defence Weekly. Archived from the original on 18 September 2015.
- ^ Chen, Chuanren (20 July 2017). "New Chinese Weapons Seen On J-10C Fighter". AIN Online.
- Bibliography
- Wood, Peter; Yang, David; Cliff, Roger (November 2020). Air-to-Air Missiles: Capabilities And Development In China (PDF). Montgomery: China Aerospace Studies Institute. ISBN 9798574996270.